Logan student wins state speech title

A Logan High School student recently won the state title at the New Mexico American Legion High School Oratorical Constitutional Public Speaking Contest and will compete at the national competition this weekend.

Micah Lightfoot recently won the state competition at the American Legion Post 13 in Albuquerque. Lightfoot, a senior at Logan High who lives in rural Tucumcari, will compete at the national level in Indianapolis on Saturday and Sunday.

Each contestant delivers a prepared oration as well as an oration on a randomly assigned topic on the U.S. Constitution. Topics are designed to test the contestant's knowledge, research and ability to discuss the basic principles related to government under the Constitution.

According to a news release, Lightfoot impressed judges with a speech titled "Does One Voice Really Matter?" and the way she presented her speech related to voting rights.

There are three rounds of competition including the quarterfinal, semifinal and final rounds where college scholarships can be earned at each level of competition. The American Legion awards students $203,500 annually from across the nation with scholarships via local, state, and national awards. The national oratorical winner will receive a $25,000 scholarship.

Since 1938, the American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program has encouraged the nation's students to study the Constitution and hone their public speaking skills. Oratorical alumni members include former vice president Mike Pence and talk-radio host Lou Dobbs.